Is liver biopsy useful in the evaluation of patients with chronically elevated liver enzymes?

Article Abstract:

The effectiveness of liver biopsy (tissue sampling) in diagnosing liver diseases was assessed in 90 patients with levels of liver enzymes that were elevated for at least three months. The liver biopsy diagnosis was compared with noninvasive diagnoses made before the biopsy using clinical history, physical examination, laboratory values, and imaging studies. The potential diseases associated with elevated liver enzyme levels were grouped into four categories, consisting of alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, chronic or long-term necroinflammatory disease, and miscellaneous disorders. The predictive value of noninvasive diagnosis made before the liver biopsy ranged from 88 percent for alcoholic liver disease, to 56 percent for fatty liver, and pre-biopsy diagnosis was most accurate in patients with elevated transaminase levels. The incidence of fatty liver was 19 percent. Five cases of liver disease that were not detected by noninvasive tests were diagnosed with the liver biopsy. Also, four cases of liver disease diagnosed using noninvasive tests, which were thought to require specific therapy, were ruled out by biopsy. Thus, the results show that liver disease may be more accurately diagnosed with a combination of noninvasive tests and liver biopsy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Liver, Liver cells, Hepatocytes, Liver biopsy, Biopsy

---

Low serum ferritin level rules out advanced liver disease in hemochromatosis

Article Abstract:

Doctors may be able to identify patients with hemochromatosis who also have liver cirrhosis by measuring blood levels of ferritin, a protein that transports iron in the body. In a study of 182 people with hemochromatosis, most of the patients who had liver cirrhosis on biopsy also had blood ferritin levels of 1,000 micrograms per liter or more. Hemochromatosis causes people to accumulate iron, which damages the liver and other organs.

Measurement, Complications and side effects, Hemochromatosis, Ferritin, Liver cirrhosis

---

Noninvasive diagnosis of biliary disease

Article Abstract:

A non-invasive diagnostic test called magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may be effective in detecting blockages in the bile ducts, according to a study of 4,711 patients. Unfortunately, it is sometimes less effective than other tests in determining the exact cause of the blockage. Bile ducts are part of the digestive system.

Innovations, Magnetic resonance imaging, Bile duct diseases

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Considerations in the selection of end points for AIDS clinical trials. Medical Research Council AIDS directed program: program plan and research opportunities
• Abstracts: Alzheimer's disease in the community. Whither electronic fetal monitoring?
• Abstracts: History of physical and sexual abuse in women with chronic pelvic pain. Mood and cognitive style in premenstrual syndrome
• Abstracts: Rheumatologic manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Esophageal ulceration induced by Zidovudine
• Abstracts: Norfloxacin: a new drug in the treatment of falciparum malaria. Fluoroquinolones for malaria: the newest kid on the block?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.